SOLDIERS, veterans and their families watched as Oxfordshire became the first county to sign a groundbreaking military covenant on Monday.

The signing at County Hall saw charities, businesses, communities and individuals come together to pledge their services to help servicemen and their families.

Oxfordshire County Council also promised to spend £100,000 over the next 12 months to help people leaving the services to resettle in Oxfordshire.

Among the watching soldiers was 26-year-old Captain Dan Morgans from the Royal Logistic Corps, based at Dalton Barracks in Abingdon.

He returned from a tour of duty in Afghanistan in January. He said: “It is nice to be in the area where this is all getting kicked off.

“It is an important recognition of the efforts of what the guys and girls do and what is expected from all of us.

“The support of families is particularly important. They deserve to be looked after as well.”

Corporal Russell Armstrong, chief clerk of the Headquarters 145 (South) Brigade, based in Aldershot, said: “Some people may say these are just big words.

“But to us, it is finally recognition that we are normal people wanting to get on with normal lives, we just do an extraordinary job.”

The brigade provided support for servicemen and women in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Hampshire.

The father-of-four said: “As a family man, I know how hard it is to move around every two to three years.

“You have got the stresses of moving, combined with having to find doctors and dentists for the whole family. The military covenant is going to highlight to the whole community that there are these thousands of people living within their own county.”

Council tax relief will be increased from 25 to 50 per cent for personnel while they are serving overseas and more Government money will be provided for schools which educate children from forces’ families.

A Veteran’s Card to offer discounts was also launched, along extra Government cash for schools which educate pupils from forces’ families.

County chairman of the Royal British Legion, Michael Henderson, said: “This is without a shadow of a doubt a good thing. If all the counties do this, just think of all the extra money that will be available for soldiers’ welfare. I hope others follow suit.”

In a speech, Defence Minister Andrew Robathan also praised the recently-announced new repatriation route for soldiers, despite a campaign against it gathering pace.

Those opposing it are angry the route, due to start in September, will see the corteges leave RAF Brize Norton via the base’s east gate – rather than main gate – and then skirt the edge of Carterton.

Members of Oxford University Officer Training Corps also raised the Union Flag outside County Hall to mark Armed Forces Day on Saturday.